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Docents Linda Beck, left,
and Mary Repass enjoy tea
in the tower alcove of the
dining room at Lawndale.
Thanks to former county commissioner and Rockledge resident
Sue Schmitt Kerwin’s interest in saving this historical asset, the
sale became a reality in 1989 through the Beach and Riverfront
Purchase initiative.
“It was a two-for-one deal, for it preserved the riverfront and
also a historic treasure,” said Pope, who lives just a few houses
down from Lawndale.
The house is not only listed in the National Register of Historic
Places, but it is also part of the Rockledge Drive National
Register District, one of three in the area. Barton Avenue and
Valencia Road are the other two.
“We also give visitors information about the three National
Register Historic Districts so those interested can do driving
tours of these areas,” Pope said.
In conjunction with the Lawndale tours, the City of Rockledge
will open its nearly 1926 restored municipal building during the
same hours, allowing visitors to see how municipal services were
delivered during the early part of the 20th century.
“They have a restored 1924 LaFrance fire engine and a police
station complete with three jail cells,” she said.
ONGOING PROJECT
For someone who was not an architect, Williams had an Frank Repass checks out t >> he volumes at Lawndale’s extensive library.
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